So it is with overwhelming disappointment that I see one of the best facilities giving young people this maritime tuition is under serious threat of being lost - the possible closure of the Anglican Mission Afloat camp at Mongomery Park, Coningham. It has been an outstanding training area for many years (rated by some as unique in Australia), providing expertise in handling water craft to countless numbers of youngsters, whatever their religion, in an ideal outdoor setting.
Yet in the quest of monetary gain, the owner, the Anglican Church of Tasmania, intends getting rid of it and sell the land for subdivision (the asking price is said to be upwards of $1.5million). Incidentally, the land was originally gifted for a youth camp by the late Hedley Allen. I find the church’s intention difficult to fathom, given that it is at present placing emphasis on attracting youth.
I have seen first-hand what Mission Afloat offers - a desirable programme in these times of health awareness and concerns about youth obesity. Mission Afloat gets kids outdoors and active, so I’m left with the question: why would you want to say goodbye to the physical benefits that Mission Afloat provides? Incredible, really! One would think our health authorities would be taking note of what could happen to Montgomery Park.
Yet the uncertain future of this valuable tuition in handling rowing boats, sailing, powerboats, canoes, rafts, fishing, safety on the water and understanding weather (plus multiple linked activities on land) appears to have stirred hardly any public reaction. Seems more a case of apathy rules. There have been just a few letters to the paper and a passing reference in an article on the church’s increasing disposal of its properties.
Seemingly the media (both print and television) aren’t interested in taking a close look at what is at stake with Montgomery Park. I wonder why.
Equally disappointing, if not more so, is the lack of concern from schools which have seen their pupils gain from the Mission Afloat experience. One would have thought they would have been up in arms at the prospective loss of the camp. To mention just a few which have had pupils there - Kingston Primary, Taroona Primary, Mount Stuart Primary, Abbotsfield Primary, Claremont High. I also note that there have been several cultural camps for Tasmanian Aboriginals, both childern and adults.
I also know Department of Education officers have previously shown their appreciation of what’s at Montgomery Park. Consider the following endorsement from a few years back from a senior departmental officer:
“I have been impressed by the Mission Afloat concept as I consider that it has a lot to offer to the current and future youth of Tasmania. Contemporary issues for young people can be attributed to a range of factors including: no sense of control or purpose; no sense of connectedness to, or participation in, family/school/community; low self esteem; no experience of success; few close and strong relationships with adults and poor problem solving/decision making skills.
“The Mission Afloat concept provides the opportunity for young people, whether it be in organised school or community groups, or in small specialised ‘rescue groups’, to work with caring adults in using worthwhile aquatic pursuits as a vehicle to achieve the personal objectives. Montgomery Park provides an ideal location for the Mission Afloat concept due to its proximity to the metropolitan area, the established residential facilities and the enormous potential for the immediate aquatic environment.”
Strong backing indeed!
There’s another essential point to consider. After the facilities were destroyed by the terrible bushfires of February 7, 1967, a large replacement centre with accommodation, kitchen, meeting space, was built, and a plaque inside the building records this was achieved through the generous response of Anglicans throughout Australia and beyond - plus a grant from the Tasmanian government of the day. Which happened to be Labor.
Premier Bartlett, who shows such a keen interest in the various aspects of youth education, should take note.

PERCY FROM THE PEWS
Tasmanians wholeheartedly embrace our great outdoors, and a key part of this love is water - from lakes and rivers to the sea. Thousands of us follow aquatic pursuits, and essential to understanding them is teaching that provides those necessary early skills to safely enjoy such activities.